Genflow Biosciences (GENF): Quality and Quantity of Life
One of the wonders of being involved with the small cap stock market in London in terms of interviewing companies, is that it means that you are very often in the penalty area as far as the best opportunities. Even better, when you speak to the management of a company like Genflow Biosciences on the occasion of several interviews, you really get the picture. This is particular important in the life sciences / biotech area, where it very often feels like you are dealing with matters even more difficult to understand than rocket science.
Happily, just before and in the wake of longevity play Genflow’s IPO this week, I interviewed the CEO Dr Eric Leire on two occasions. The shares were listed at 8p and settled at the end of a tough week for the stock market at 12p – so happy shareholders all around. One of the main aspects of new issues seems to be to get that all important good start, as from their momentum invariably builds and continues to build.
However, the point with Genflow from my perspective is the premise of the company and the potentially transformational implications of what it is looking to do. Here everything hinges on the discovery of the SIRT6 gene, present in centenarians. The rather simple implication of this is that if everyone had the gene, most of us would not only live longer, but also by definition be much healthier in order to get there. Indeed, one might use the example of the Royal family with the Queen Mother living to 100 in relatively good health, and the Queen also approaching this age in a relatively healthy manner.
Indeed, the point of quality of life being as important, or even more important than length of life must be regarded as key. The pandemic has shone a light on how age is a strong risk factor for disease, with the initial angle regarding COVID-19 being that it would disproportionately affect those over 80.
It is clear that health services around the world simply cannot cope with an ageing unhealthy population, and that the kind of initiative that Genflow is delivering could be key to solving a problem which is a massive cost both in human terms and financially. This would be the case even if current life expectancy levels do not rise.
But of course, with a new company delivering a new concept, it is so much about the business model and the investment perspective. On this basis Genflow ticks several boxes. A massive addressable market which is growing could obviously be worth in the billions, and at least on a par with the cosmetics or plastic surgery markets currently.
A longevity product which is practical to deliver via gene therapy, and one that could become mainstream relatively quickly. An initial application is to be applied to individuals with Werner’s Syndrome, where the body’s ageing regulation system breaks down, leading to rapid ageing. In some ways if this disease is conquered one would imagine the challenge of making a quality lifespan of 100 years plus the norm relatively straightforward as it would underline the role of SIRT6.
Genflow’s outlook seems well set, and for us on this side of the pond, represents the first IPO in the anti-ageing space. Genflow CEO Dr Eric Leire is understandably motivated, especially as the company has just had the backing of the Longevity Tech Fund. This should ensure the goal of developing (literally) life changing therapies to target the ageing process is delivered sooner rather than later.